Film supplier Loparex has invested in a new extrusion line at its Guangzhou, China plant. The investment is part of a strategy to strengthen the company’s operations in Asia and expand its Guangzhou facility’s product range to polycoated release liners.

The new extruder started up at the beginning of December. “This is an important milestone for our business in Asia,” said Andie Ho, president, Loparex Asia Pacific. “It permits us to significantly extend our product range and offer release liner solutions to new business areas. We can also offer better service to our current customers and strengthen our market position in this area.”

Loparex’s Guangzhou plant started operations in June 2004 with the production of one- and two-sided, solvent-free direct siliconized release papers. “Building an extrusion line in Guangzhou was a strategic decision with many positive consequences. Our product range is now expanded to one- and two-sided LDPE, HDPE and PP-coated liners that can be printed in-line with customers’ designs,” explained Tapani Laakso, sales director, Loparex Asia Pacific. “We have now release liner solutions to offer the graphic arts, tape and medical industries. In Asia, there is a strong demand for polycoated products in these business areas.”

Following this investment, approximately 20 new people have been employed at the Guangzhou plant to work in production, maintenance, quality control and production planning. The total number of employees at the plant is approximately 120.